Notice: Due to unforseen circumstances, Lodge Park will now be opening on Friday 13th March instead of Friday 6th March. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

A 17th-century grandstand and Cotswold country estate

Lodge Park

John 'Crump' Dutton built this 17th-century grandstand, fuelled by his passion for deer coursing, gambling, banqueting and entertaining.

Lodge Park became the National Trust's first restoration project in 1998 and relied on archaeological evidence to return the building to its former glory. It's situated approximately two and a half miles from the village of Sherborne and the wider Sherborne estate, the other side of the A40.

Sherborne is a working estate and has an abundance of wildlife, from fallow and roe deer to badgers and foxes.

Ewe Pen Barn is the starting point for Lodge Park's three main walking routes: Short Woodland Stroll; Family Fun Walk and Historic Farmland Hike. Don't miss the sculpture trail around the pleasure grounds.

Make sure to leave some time to visit the 18th-century water meadows (home to otters, water voles and dragonflies) - park at Northfield Barn car park.

One misty morning back in October dry-stone wallers from as far away as Cumbria and Yorkshire congregated for the 2013 Cotswolds AONB Dry-stone Walling Competition, held here on the Sherborne Park Estate.

Watch this ancient craft in wonder as together they rebuild 22m of a wall estimated to be over 100 years old and in desperate need of repair.